Perhaps even the idea of Alfredsson donning a Maple Leafs jersey would make some diehard Leafs fans nauseated to no end.

Besides Alfredsson's no-trade clause and $4.9 million cap hit—as if those two factors wouldn't be enough—the sheer idea of him coming to play for the Maple Leafs after playing his entire NHL career for the Sens even makes me giddy with rage.

Before we grab our pitchforks and torches, let's just take a few deep cleansing breaths and consider what that could actually mean for the Leafs and their devoted fans alike.

Could it actually make sense to bring this long-time Senator to Toronto?

Rise Above the Rebuild

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The Ottawa Senators are a rebuilding team that were not projected to compete for a playoff spot this year.

Their potential for success is still yet to be determined but even if they do squeak into the postseason, the likelihood of them making a legitimate run at the Stanley Cup anytime soon is slim to nil—certainly not before Daniel Alfredsson retires.

Moving Alfredsson out of Ottawa would allow him the potential to cap off a very successful career with the shot at the Cup.

The Leafs are still considered by many to be a "bubble team" when talking about the playoffs—likely to finish the season somewhere between seventh and 10th in the Eastern Conference.

It may be too premature to talk about Cup contention this season, but in reality the Leafs may only be one or two players away from being in the mix.

Variety Is the Spice of Life

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Right now you might be saying to yourself, "Hmmm, what if Daniel Alfredsson did become a Maple Leaf?" or, "That's an interesting concept, but what did you put in your coffee this morning to think that's even a remote possibility?!"

As popularized by Dan Meredith (former SMU and Dallas Cowboys quarterback and Monday Night Football announcer), "If 'ifs' and 'buts' were candy and nuts, we'd all have a merry Christmas."

Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities on the planet. Unfortunately, the Maple Leafs have lost their Swedish demographic so adding Alfie would fill the void left by Mats Sundin.

Apocalypse Now

For those of you who are fatalists and/or looking for signs of the end times, this might very well be just what you need to strengthen your convictions that the world is going to hell in a handbasket.

Coming right before the four horsemen of the apocalypse, it would make sense for God to punish Leafs fans just one more time with a trade that would bring to Toronto such a long-standing and despised rival.